The success of local sprint sensation Gout Gout has promoted Ipswich City Council to develop a synthetic athletics track in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With the 17-year-old Ipswich Grammar School student setting world-class times every time he hits the track, Council has backed a 400m track being built in the city.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said council would identify appropriate council-owned properties where a synthetic track could be located by June.
Cr Doyle said council would also develop an advocacy campaign to attract potential State and Commonwealth funding assistance to plan, design and construct the new track.
“With the 2032 Games approaching, and despite venues already locked in, there will still be opportunities to advocate for funding in the coming years,” she said.
“We need to be ready to capitalise on these opportunities by having our own tartan track planned and designed for at a council-owned facility.
“We must be the driver of this critical piece of infrastructure for our community, we can no longer rely on third parties and other local organisations to deliver.”
Cr Doyle said the development of a full size 400m synthetic track would complement other strategic investments into Ipswich infrastructure, increase sporting participation and aspirations, provide facilities that attract visitors from surrounding regions and support local clubs.
She said Ipswich needed a synthetic athletics track that was “fit-for-the-runner, fit-for-the-community, and fit-for-the-future”.
“For almost 45 years, Ipswich sprinters have dashed around Bill Paterson Oval at Limestone Park, which is home to the Ipswich and District Athletic Club and Ipswich Little Athletics, as well as playing host each year to dozens of local school athletics’ carnivals and regional competitions,” Cr Doyle said.
“As many would remember, the oval was built over a former rubbish tip that closed in 1975.
“Unfortunately, that history continues to impact the oval, its grassed 400m running track, and those who use both.
“The running surface is uneven. Drainage is poor. The subsurface continues to shift. Urgent maintenance is desperately needed in the short term.”
She said the new infrastructure would position Ipswich to support the 2032 Games in delivering an alternative venue for training.
“At a minimum it will be the training facility for our many local runners who will no doubt be in training to compete at their very first Olympic Games.”
